​Learn how earthquake insurance may help protect your home, belongings, and finances after a covered earthquake.

Understanding Earthquake Insurance Coverage

Earthquakes can cause extensive damage to homes and personal property. Unfortunately, standard homeowners insurance policies generally do not cover damage caused by earthquake shaking.

A separate earthquake insurance policy may help protect your property and finances after a covered earthquake. Depending on the policy you select, coverage may be available for your home, personal belongings, temporary living expenses, emergency repairs, and certain rebuilding costs.
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Coverage, deductibles, limits, and exclusions vary by insurance carrier. Understanding these details is important before choosing a policy.

1. Damage to Your Home​

Dwelling coverage may help repair or rebuild your home when it is damaged by a covered earthquake.
Covered damage may include:
  • Damage to the structure of your home
  • Cracked walls and ceilings
  • Damage to the foundation
  • Damage to an attached garage
  • Damage to built-in fixtures
  • Certain electrical and plumbing damage
  • Structural damage caused by earthquake shaking
The amount of dwelling coverage is usually connected to the insured value of your home. Your policy will identify the coverage limit and earthquake deductible that apply.

2. Damage to Your Personal Belongings

Earthquake insurance may include coverage for personal property damaged by a covered earthquake.
Covered belongings may include:
  • Furniture
  • Televisions and electronics
  • Clothing
  • Appliances
  • Household items
  • Certain valuables
  • Other personal possessions
Personal property coverage normally has its own limit. Some categories of property may have lower limits or may not be covered.
Ask your agent how much personal property coverage is included or available before selecting a policy.

3. Temporary Living Expenses

A serious earthquake could make your home unsafe or temporarily unlivable.
Loss-of-use coverage, sometimes called additional living expense coverage, may help pay necessary additional expenses while your home is being repaired.
Covered expenses may include:
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Temporary rental housing
  • Additional food expenses
  • Certain transportation expenses
  • Other necessary temporary living costs
The amount and length of coverage depend on the policy. Some earthquake policies may provide loss-of-use coverage without applying the dwelling deductible.

4. Emergency Repairs

After an earthquake, immediate repairs may be necessary to protect your home or belongings from additional damage.
Emergency repair coverage may help pay for work such as:
  • Boarding damaged windows
  • Removing broken glass
  • Covering openings in the roof
  • Stabilizing damaged portions of the home
  • Preventing rain or weather from entering the property
  • Completing other urgent repairs after a covered earthquake
Emergency repair benefits and deductibles vary by policy and carrier.

5. Building Code Upgrade Costs

If an older home is seriously damaged, local authorities may require repairs or rebuilding to meet current building codes.
Building code upgrade coverage may help with certain additional costs required to bring the repaired portions of your home up to current standards.
This may include eligible improvements involving:
  • Foundations
  • Structural supports
  • Electrical systems
  • Plumbing systems
  • Other code-required construction work
Building code coverage has a separate limit. Review that limit with your agent, especially if you own an older home.

What Does Earthquake Insurance Usually Not Cover?

Earthquake insurance does not cover every type of property or damage. Exclusions vary, but coverage may be limited or unavailable for:

  • Land, landscaping, trees, and plants
  • Pools, fences, detached structures, and masonry
  • Vehicles
  • Collectibles, artwork, jewelry, and certain valuables
  • Water damage caused by flooding or a tsunami
  • Preexisting property damage
  • Damage below the policy deductible
  • Certain nonstructural improvements
  • Business property kept inside the home
Other insurance policies may cover certain losses connected to an earthquake. For example, damage caused by a fire following an earthquake may be handled differently from damage caused directly by earthquake shaking.
Always review the actual policy terms with a licensed insurance agent.

How to Choose Earthquake Coverage

Review Your Property

​Consider the estimated cost to repair or rebuild your home and the earthquake risk in your area.

Compare Your Options

Review available coverage limits, deductibles, personal property protection, and loss-of-use benefits.

Talk with an Agent

​Ask a licensed local agent to explain the policy and help you compare available carrier options.

​Who Should Consider Earthquake Insurance?

​Every California property owner faces some degree of earthquake risk. Coverage may be especially important if:
  • You could not afford major structural repairs
  • You have significant equity in your home
  • Your home is older or has not been retrofitted
  • Your property is near an active fault
  • You have valuable personal belongings
  • You would need help paying for temporary housing
  • You want additional financial protection from earthquake damage
Your mortgage lender may not require earthquake insurance, but that does not mean earthquake damage is covered by your homeowners policy.

​Do You Know What Your Current Policy Covers?

​Do not wait until after an earthquake to discover a gap in your insurance protection.

​Get an Earthquake Insurance Quote

Let us help you compare available coverage, deductibles, and pricing for your property.

Already Have Earthquake Insurance? 

​Our agents can help you review your current limits, deductible, and coverage options.
Prefer to speak with an agent? 
​Earthquake insurance coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limits, deductibles, exclusions, underwriting requirements, and carrier availability. This article provides general information and is not a statement of coverage. Please review the applicable policy or contact a licensed insurance agent for details.
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